Listen

God, give your judgments to the king. Give your righteousness to the king’s son. Let him judge your people with righteousness and your poor ones with justice. Let the mountains bring peace to the people; let the hills bring righteousness. Let the king bring justice to people who are poor; let him save the children of those who are needy, but let him crush oppressors!

Psalm 72:1-4

Think

For years I was on this search to find the secret to being a leader. Many said, “It is how one carries themselves.” Others stated, “It all deals with authority!” Recently a member of my church informed me that leadership lives and dies on trust.

In this passage, Israel is yearning for a king. Yearning for a leader who is formed and molded by God. Hear their words, “Give the king your justice! And go ahead and toss his son a little righteousness. It couldn’t hurt, right? Whoever it is, we need him to trust in you, God.” Sadly, very few of their kings actually lived into this.

We may not refer to ourselves as royalty, but as Christians we are to act as leaders. Our world, our community, and our neighbors are yearning for leaders — leaders who trust in God. Through our trust, it should be hard to ignore living into God’s justice and righteousness. And when we choose to live into this trust, peace will roam our world.

Timothy Peoples

Pray

God of all things, in order for me to be a leader in this world, I need to be led by you. Lead me, guide me, and be with me. Amen.

Go

The Lord bless you and protect you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26